INTRODUCTION Prior studies have increasingly indicated that chronic diseases might be causing neuropathic pain. As many patients with chronic diseases do indicate neuropathic pain, there is a growing interest in finding a treatment for this pain. One beneficial treatment might be the exercise-induced opioid effect that could help to reduce this neuropathic pain.
Thus, the purpose of this study is to explain the possible mechanism related to reducing neuropathic pain as a result of the exercise-induced opioid release. METHOD This study reviews prior research on neuropathic pain and the exercise effect to explain the possible mechanism relating to an exercise-induced opioid effect that reduces neuropathic pain. RESULT The possible mechanisms relating to the exercise-induced opioid effect include: 1) an exercise-induced analgesic effect, and 2) exercise-induced opioid and neurotropic factors. The effect of exercise-induced opioids was proven by indications of opioid with drawal and by increasing opioid to lerance. Additionally, increasing the neurotropic factors would help increase the analgesic effect of opioids and serotonin. CONCLUSION The exercise-induced opioid effect would reduce neuropathic pain, indicate opioid withdrawal, increase opioid tolerance, and identify neurotropic factors. Future research should examine the effects of exercise intensity and duration to better understand the treatment mechanism, which ultimately will help to prevent and treat chronic pain.